FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Although you can just purchase the material, we have found that many of our customers end up calling us back to fix mistakes made by the “professionals”. Also, most manufacturers void their warranty if it is not professionally installed.

While we employ both regular employees and subcontractors for installation, our managers see them daily and our work is not out-sourced to a third-party workroom. Our installers have a long-term relationship with us.

They are monitored through our Installation Excellence program to ensure customers are always pleased with the outcome.

Engineered Hardwood is built up of layers of wood. It consists of three to ten layers, called plies that are glued together. This multi-ply structure gives engineered wood superior stability, greater than solid wood, which reduces concerns associated with shrinking and expanding when temperature and humidity change. Engineered wood can be installed below ground level making it a great choice for finished basements. Solid wood flooring is 100% hardwood milled from lumber. As a natural material, hardwood reacts to changes in its setting, like moisture and extreme temperatures, which cause solid wood to shrink or expand. All solid hardwood can be sanded and refinished if needed over the years. Solid hardwood is not recommended for installation below ground level or in bathrooms.

Ceramic tiles have been around for over 2000 years. They typically have a white or red clay biscuit with some form of glaze on top. Porcelain tile cost more than ordinary ceramic tile because you are getting a superior product. Porcelain tile requires the finest natural ingredients and a rigidly controlled manufacturing process that utilizes the most advanced processes and technology. Porcelain tiles are made from an extremely finely powdered clay tablet that is pressed under enormous pressure and heat – several hundred degrees hotter than ceramics. Porcelain tiles are much harder and denser than ceramic tiles. This allows porcelain tiles to be made in very large formats that would be impossible to achieve in a ceramic tile. Porcelain tiles will also often have colored bisque that matches the surface glaze, or have a color and pattern that extends all the way through the tile. This avoids the common problem with ceramics where the glaze gets chipped and exposes the color of the clay biscuit underneath.

There are many different fiber types, styles and strengths in the amazing options offered in carpet.Wool Carpet are the gold-standard for durability. The soft, matte visual of wool is outstanding. Styling offered runs from oriental-styles to wovens to sisal-looks. Wool is an excellent choice for your home. It is also a flame retardant, green product.

Nylon Carpet offer great strength while being very cleanable. This has been the workhorse of the industry for many decades. There are many differing manufacturers of fiber, Stainmaster for example, that make it perfect for a busy household and high traffic areas (like hallways, stairs). While it’s likely the majority of typical style carpets you’ve seen, it’s also offered in so many interesting designs and textures, you can’t help but find one that works well.

Smartstrand (Triexta) carpet is the newest to the market. Its’ own fiber class, Smartstrand is outstanding for fade resistance, cleanability and softness. It’s made of 37% corn and has such a low absorption rate, most stains stay topical and can clean up with simply warm water. Even though it’s very soft, there’s no reduction in strength as the fiber has a kink in it that makes it very resilient to traffic.

Polypropylenes have increased in number as many customers want the look of wool without the price of wool. Many have that “oriental-esque” visual and/or some new geometrics that are funky. It’s a cleanable product and often used for stair runners and rooms where traffic is not the highest, but cost can be kept lower than wool.

Polyester carpets are great for cleanability and price, especially the Resista line. Good for family settings, especially bedrooms where the pile volume feels luxurious. They are often cut-pile and/or texture styles.

Olefin carpet is a great option when price is a factor. This fiber is most often used in tight commercial-looking loop carpets and popular berbers. It’s not the longest-wearing fiber, but certainly a more affordable line where look is important and routine traffic is less (i.e., basements, playrooms, etc).